"We're in a musical, okay? Nobody gets killed in a musical. Except 'Oklahoma!' And 'Carousel'. And 'South Pacific'. Oh, hello, 'West Side Story'."
"That sounds like all the musicals"
Dr. Josh Skinner (Key) and Dr. Melissa Gimble (Strong) are going through a rough patch in their seven-year relationship. They go on a couples retreat to reconnect and, while hiking, end up in the idyllic town of Schmigadoon. The town is bright and happy and the people break into song. Melissa loves musicals and is enchanted, but Josh hates it and wants to go home.
However, when they try to cross the bridge and leave town, they can't. A Leprechaun (Short) explains that they can't leave until they find true love. They also learn that they are in a Musical. Melissa befriends Mayor Menlove (Cummings) and his wife Florence (Harada), while fending off advances of town rascal Danny (Tveit) and Doc Lopez (Camil). Josh is willing to do anything to leave, including pursuing school teacher Emma (DeBose) and flirty waitress Betsy (Cameron). But not everyone wants to embrace the newcomers, especially Mildred (Chenoweth) Reverned Layton's (Armisen) wife. Will they find love with each other or someone else in town?
The first season of this Apple TV+ series is based on musicals of the 1940s-1950s.
Every episode features original songs, that are reminiscent of musicals of the era. The characters, costumes, songs, and dancing reminds me of the following musicals:
Brigadoon. Broadway debut 1947
Carousel. Broadway debut 1945
Finan's Rainbow. Broadway debut 1947
The King and I. Broadway debut 1951
Kiss Me Kate. Broadway debut 1948
The Music Man. Broadway debut 1957
Oklahoma. Broadway debut 1943
The Pajama Game. Broadway debut 1953
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. 1954 movie
The Sound of Music. Broadway debut 1959
The Good:
The majority of the main cast members (Aaron Tveit, Kristin Chenoweth, Alan Cumming, Ann Harada, Ariana DeBose, and Jane Krakowski) are Broadway vets. They command the screen and deliver stellar, Broadway-level performances. The rest of the cast hold their own singing and dancing on the same level as their Broadway co-stars. Dove Cameron, Jaime Camil, Martin Short and Cecily Strong have performed and sang on stage. Keegan-Michael Key and Fred Armisen are not afraid to dive into their roles. As a whole, the entire cast is great!
The scenery and costumes feel like they could be in musicals of the time. And the songs mimic the style of the musicals they are sending up. They aren't mocking the musicals; it feels like a loving tribute while still willing to laugh at their quirks.
The Bad:
I don't love all of the side plots. Liam Quiring-Nkindi's character is grating.
It also feels too short, at only 6 episodes. It's a lot of story to condense into 6 episodes.
Other Comments:
-Won the 2022 Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Original Music & Lyrics for Cinco Paul, for the song "Corn Pudding" in episode 1.
-I love "Cross that Bridge" in episode 3. It feels like "Brotherhood of Man" from How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (even though it debuted on Broadway in 1961). The song is smart and funny.
-The second season focuses on musicals of the 1960s-1970s.
-I was excited about this show as soon as I heard about it. I watched clips of the songs on YouTube and it was the first show I tried when I got a free trial of Apple TV+... it did not disappoint!
Schmigadoon (2021, Season 1)
Creator: Cinco Paul & Ken Daurio
Starring: Keegan-Michael Key as Dr. Josh Skinner
Cecily Strong as Dr. Melissa Gimble
Fred Armisen as Reverend Howard Layton
Dove Cameron as Betsy McDonough
Jaime Camil as Doc Jorge Lopez
Kristin Chenoweth as Mildred Layton
Alan Cumming as Mayor Aloysius Menlove
Ariana DeBose as Emma Tate
Ann Harada as Florence Menlove
Jane Krakowski as Countess Gabriele Von Blerkom
Martin Short as Leprechaun
Aaron Tveit as Danny Bailey
Liam Quiring-Nkindi as Carson Tate
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